Pikola · Draft Science

Draft Science

Pikola's own experiments: simulated drafts played out over thousands of simulated seasons, each with its error bars, its limits and its data. Free to quote with a link, CC BY 4.0.

1. Snake draftsPublished 4 Oct 2026

   Should you punt from pick one?

   Verdict Don't. No planned punt out-won drafting balanced.

   In a 14-team head-to-head snake league where no other team punted, four of six punts named from the first pick lost by more than twice their error under Categories, five of six under One Win.

   Data: punting.csv · punting-ft-categories.csv

   n = 4,480 seasons a buildThe charts, the limits and the numbers →

2. AuctionsLast run 2 Oct 2026

   How Pikola is tested

   Verdict About 3× the titles of a drafter who buys off a rankings list.

   In simulated Yahoo auctions, Pikola's team won the title 2.7 to 3 times as often in the three rooms built to draft like people, each ratio about ±0.2. Computer drafters, 40 auctions a room.

   Data: how-pikola-is-tested.csv

   n = 1,280 seasons a roomThe method, the rooms and the limits →

Cite a study as Pikola, its title, its address and the month. Questions about a method: hello@pikola.app.